'Racist' shock jock censured

A leading radio "shock jock" has been criticised by the broadcasting standards commission for encouraging racism against asylum seekers.

A complaint against Nick Ferrari, the star phone-in presenter on London's LBC 97.3, has been upheld after a listener complained that he encouraged listeners who made racist comments.

The finding is especially embarrassing in multiracial London because Ferrari is editor-designate of Richard Desmond's proposed new evening newspaper for the capital.

Among those calling for the station to make an example of Ferrari is the mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, who has written to his bosses demanding to know what action they will take. He says such broadcasts risk damaging race relations in London.

In its ruling the BSC said callers to the mid-morning programme on March 10 were asked to compare the treatment of asylum seekers with that of UK citizens. It concluded: "Notwithstanding the legitimate nature of the subject of the discussion and the presenter's well-known approach and style, the programme's active reinforcement of prejudiced views about asylum seekers exceeded acceptable boundaries for transmission."

LBC told the BSC its programme was designed to be provocative and said the subject of asylum seekers was a legitimate subject for discussion. It said that in its view Ferrari did not overstep the mark, but he had been reminded of the sensitivities of the issue "and the need to respect alternative opinions".

In a letter to the station Mr Livingstone demands assurances that there will not be a recurrence. "As mayor I must have regard to equality of opportunity for all those who live and work in London. More generally, I regard it as my absolute duty to maintain good community relations in our city and to oppose every effort to create divisions."

He adds: "Nick Ferrari has built a reputation on controversy and argument, but LBC must also have regard for the interests of our city and the rights of the people who live here. Mr Ferrari specialises in the US-style 'shock-jock' format and it seems on this occasion that he strayed beyond the boundary of acceptability. It is not acceptable to me as mayor, and I suspect most Londoners, to have a London radio station 'actively reinforcing prejudice'."

Mark Flanagan, the managing director of Chrysalis, which owns LBC, said the company had already dealt with the issue in a proportionate way.

The presenter had been offered a new two-year contract. "Nick Ferrari has got a rumbustious, opinionated style which everyone knows about and it is well appreciated by those who tune in every day," said Mr Flanagan.

LBC would not be dictated to by the mayor. "I take on board Ken's remarks but he is not responsible for who we put on our radio station."

The mayor and Ferrari have clashed before. Last year Mr Livingstone accused the presenter of provoking listeners to jam the city hall switchboard because the mayor refused to support a parade welcoming troops back from Iraq. The mayor accused Ferrari of displaying an "irresponsible attitude".

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